Hamilton police arrested two men after catching them on security cameras in the central business district following an armed robbery of an inner-city cyber-cafe early this morning.
The two 17-year-old robbers threatened the staff member - the only person in the cyber cafe at the time - with
a knife and a gun, before binding him with tape and emptying the till.
Police communications manager Andrew McAlley said the robbery of the Victoria Street store took place about 2.45am.
Due to translation difficulties between police and the man, the alarm wasn't raised for 20 to 30 minutes.
While the man was freeing himself, security camera staff watched the men taking off clothes worn during the robbery and dumping them in a bin, visiting a nearby business, and registered their behaviour as strange.
Police arrested them soon afterwards.
They had thrown away the knife, but still had the cash and pistol, which turned out to be an imitation.
"The cameras really are paying for themselves. They are invaluable for monitoring crowd behaviour and deciding where to deploy resources. A few civil libertarians might disagree, but they are proving to be an inspired investment," Mr McAlley said.
Two men have been charged with aggravated robbery and kidnapping.
- NZPA
